The International Day of Listening (IDL)

The IDL is a one-day event that is sponsored by the International Listening Association (ILA) and was initiated in 2016. The IDL takes place the third Thursday of September each year. The day promotes a variety of events from one-on-one conversations with friends and family to business or community meetings to governments and their citizens talking about mutual concerns.

Goal – Mission – Vision

To foster better listening in all phases of life, in all contexts, and all around the world. The International Day of Listening will be recognized throughout the world as one of the main events for the promotion of listening.

To promote better listening in our conversations that lead to better relationships and solutions to problems that will help make us better humans.

To increase awareness of the value of listening and provide resources to help people develop better listening skills and strategies.

To achieve this goal, we will inspire events all over the world focusing on the importance of listening and engaging people in listening. Our website provides instruction and information about how to do these events effectively.

The main theme for the IDL is

“Listening makes us better humans”

Watch Sheila Bentley talking about “Choose to listen more and better” a video she made in 2017 for the 10 Listening Tips Video Series

The International Day of Listening is strongly backed by an enormous base of knowledge, The International Listening Association. Since 1979 ILA founders and members have been totally dedicated to advocating that listening skills are the key to becoming better humans and building a better civilization together.

About the International Listening Association, sponsor of the International Day of Listening

The International Listening Association (ILA) is a professional organization consisting of a network of people committed to the development of effective listening in professional and personal lives. We are involved in listening in education, business, healthcare, hospitality, music and many other fields. We promote the study of listening, exchange information and pursue research into the ways in which listening can develop understanding in our personal, political, social and working lives. The International Listening Association serves as a dialogue space, a resource network, a news source and an international community – our members are working in more than 19 countries across the globe.

for more information about the International Listening Association visit: www.listen.org